Field Conditions Worry NFL Officials
A huge Week 11 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams in Mexico City could be in jeopardy.
Field conditions at the Estadio Azteca — the stadium that both teams are slated to play at next Monday night — are a major concern for NFL officials, who are continuing to discuss whether or not the game will go on, according to sources close to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Because of field conditions, there are significant discussions about whether Monday night's Chiefs-Rams game will be played in Mexico City, Los Angeles or postponed, sources tell @AdamSchefter. https://t.co/fVoJllQCPz
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 13, 2018
There was some concern about the field at Estadio Azteca for the Rams-Chiefs game next Monday in Mexico City. This is what it looked liked today as they began work on it. pic.twitter.com/mRMI2PaohL
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 13, 2018
A significant part of the #Rams and #Chiefs concern right now: knowing the serious problems with this Mexico City field, what happens if Pat Mahomes or Jared Goff or any player suffers an injury related to the surface? The element of protecting the players on this is paramount.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 13, 2018
There have been talks of the game being moved to another venue, that of which is still a mystery.
In addition to the game being moved, the NFL has also talked about having the two teams share a bye week this week and play in Week 12 instead.
Neither seems like a bad idea since both teams are slated to go on bye weeks next week, but the time is ticking on the NFL’s decision regarding this matchup of 9-1 football teams.
Expected to be a high-scoring thrill ride that pits two of the highest scoring offenses against one another, what may sway the NFL’s decision to keep the game at this venue is the number of fans who already brought plane tickets to Mexico City to go watch the game.
If they do move the game to anywhere outside of Mexico City, it could cost the NFL a substantial amount of money as well as fan backlash.
What are your thoughts on the NFL possibly scraping this week’s Chiefs-Rams showdown? Leave your comments below!